Putting your best foot forward — let's make that two — is a no-brainer when it comes to Fiesta footwear. And with Thursday's Fiesta kickoff followed by 10 more days packed with parades, parties and people-watching, you can bet that all eyes will be on your shoes.

After all, shoe-gawking and shouting “Show us your shoes!” isn't reserved just for bedazzled, hand-waving queens kicking up their heels.

You, too, can rock your flats, heels, platforms and wedges like royalty in spring styles fit for a proper Fiesta excursion. Just remember to step out in the many colors that top the season's hit list: neon hues of orange, yellow, green, turquoise and cobalt. Shoe designer Elaine Turner said that after several years of neutral shoes taking center stage, “women are ready to add some fun pieces” to their footwear.

She said women should be true to their personal sense of style. But hey, it's Fiesta, so “challenge yourself to literally step into something new.”

Her advice: “If you are going to wear a bright green or turquoise shoe, choose an equally saturated color in your garments. Think citrus and one my favorites — a deep pink shoe. Or choose a shoe that mixes print with solids, or print with python.”

Dillard's spokeswoman Melissa Merriman suggested investing in a pair of spring's mint or coral-colored peep-toe shoes or wedges because the same shoe will transition into fall.

“A colorful shoe can ground a look or pull it all together,” she said, suggesting that a turquoise shoe would look great with a solid dress and a turquoise necklace. Or the same shoe can ground “a more daring look like a printed pant.”

She said many of spring's shoe collections include sandal styles with colorful foot beds or linings that peep out from under the foot. “Bright and colorful footwear is a smart and modern way to update one's wardrobe,” she added and offered that a basic black sheath is instantly updated when replacing classic pumps with spring's pops of yellow or a shoe with a fun floral print.

Ken Downing, Neiman Marcus fashion director, also favors colorful shoes for spring, especially the heeled or flat gladiator. He said a vibrant-hued shoe can be matched with what he calls “a monochromatic mélange of shades” in one's outfit.

But color contrasting also is a trend: “A yellow dress with a pink or orange shoe is all about being bold and confident.” And if an outfit is in black and white stripes — one of spring's much-touted looks — a cobalt shoe and a hot pink handbag are a good mismatched match.

He said wedges, platforms, chunky heels and single sole shoes are among the most wanted for spring. “But your personality and your wardrobe choices should determine what shoe you wear,” he said.

Turner, who has an Alamo Heights boutique and is set to open another on New York's upscale Madison Avenue this summer, said “when in doubt, look for a wedge.” She said the platform wedge in particular is on trend, but traditional wedges are always a favorite as well as versatile, stylish and comfortable.

She also is a fan of flats.

“Flats are here to stay,” she said. “But they are evolving. We still see the sweet rounded toe of a ballet flat, but we also are seeing the emergence of the pointy-toe flat.” For spring, one of her favorites is a flat in black, butter, gold and python “because women need flats, but don't want to sacrifice style.”

Elizabeth Kanfer, a women's accessories director for Saks Fifth Avenue, said the ballerina is the season's go-to flat.

“This is what every woman should be adding to her wardrobe this spring and summer,” she said.

But she cautioned: “My only advice is to buy shoes that you love. That is the great thing about footwear — there are so many options that have that emotional 'wow' factor. In a perfect world none of us would suffer for fashion, but I have to admit that I have many shoes that are terribly uncomfortable, but look amazing.”